Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park at sea

Parque Nacional Corcovado is on the Osa Peninsula in South Pacific Costa Rica.

Understand

While the park is one of the more remote in the national park system, Corcovado provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

History

The park was established on October 24, 1975.

Flora and fauna

National Geographic magazine called Corcovado National Park the "most biologically intense place on Earth" and this is no exaggeration. All four of the monkeys species found within Costa Rica (Mantled Howler, Squirrel Monkey, Spider Monkey and White-faced Capuchin) exist in large numbers throughout the park. Two crocodilians (the occasionally large and saline tolerant American Crocodile and the small Spectacled Caiman) persist within all of the park's major waterways, as do Bull sharks. The Jaguar population within the park is the healthiest in all of Central America, however it is still extremely unlikely for a visitor to spot one (most locals have never seen them either.) Many other elusive cats call the park home as well, including the Puma (which is slightly smaller and more arboreal in Central American than in the United States, probably due to competition with the Jaguar,) Ocelot, Jaguarundi and Margay. The park is one of the last strongholds of the Baird's Tapir and there are hundreds within decent proximity from Sirena Station, usually found lounging in the shade or in shallow pools of stagnant water. There are dozens of snake species present, many of them venomous, including the Fer-de-lance (also known as terciopelo or "Costa Rican landmine",) the Bushmaster, the Eyelash Pit Viper, and the Coral Snake. The largest snake within the park is the non-venomous Boa Constrictor. Numerous other small mammals and reptiles are common within the park including, but by no means limited to, the White-nosed Coati, Sloth, Tamandua, Giant Anteater, Basilisk, and Ctenosaur. Birds include the highly endangered Scarlet Macaw, the Tiger Heron, Black Vulture and the Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, among hundreds of others including the critically endangered Harpy Eagle.

Climate

• Dry season. Running from mid-December until mid-April with occasional rain showers.
• Wet season. Running mid-April until mid-December.

Get in

Travel to and through the park is perilous and is best accomplished during the dry season.

• Sendero El Tigre in Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre is the most accessible trail into Corcovado as it is possible to travel to and walk in one day. The trail is 8 km (5 mi) long and takes between six and eight hours; depending upon walking speeds and time taken to stop to view wildlife. Dos Brazos is 12 km (7.5 mi) from Puerto Jiménez and can be reached by taxi or bus. The cost for this trail (guide included) is US$125 for two people, which includes the US$30 entrance fee to the park. Reservations can be made directly with the tourism office of Dos Brazos by calling +506 8323-8695 or via email which can be found on the Dos Brazos website. Dos Brazos has several great accommodations and activities such as: gold mining tours, horseback riding, El Salto natural swimming hole, night hikes, botany and birding tours, and Bonanza waterfall.
• Drake Bay lies on the north side of the park and provides entrance and easy access to its trails. Drake Bay, although sometimes difficult to get to, is an excellent alternative to traveling through Puerto Jiménez.
• Puerto Jimenez. This is the nearest sizeable town to the park and most people entering the park will probably need to pass through this town.
  • From the north. Travel along the beach through San Pedrillo.
  • From the south. Travel along the beach through Carate.
  • From the east. Through 1 Los Patos Ranger Station. It is a 13-km hike (3-hr) from La Palma to Los Patos, and you must cross the Rincon River around 30 times. Taxis will take you this distance during the dry season. At the ranger station there is a house with a park ranger and an area for camping. Bring your own tent and food. The trail from Los Patos to La Sirena is home to many birds. Another trail from Los Patos cuts through the center of the park above the lagoon and will meet up with the trail from San Pedrillo to La Sirena. That trail is used very infrequently (a guide is suggested) and will take approximately 14 hours.

By bus

• Regular bus service is available to Puerto Jiménez. Passenger truck service from Puerto Jiménez to the southern entrance at Carate occurs on a biweekly or greater basis. The journey generally takes between 3 and 5 hours by road depending on weather, traffic conditions. In May 2007 passenger trucks were on a twice a day schedule (morning, and late afternoon).
• To Sendero El Tigre in Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre: In the center of Puerto Jiménez, the El Tigre colectivo (local minibus service) runs to Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre (12 km/7.5 mi west of Puerto Jiménez). M-F 11:00 and 16:00 at the Super 96 Supermarket. The fare is ₡1,300.

By 4WD

All roads on the Osa Peninsula exhibit the disrepair characteristic of Costa Rica outside of the main tourist destinations. The road from Puerto Jimenez to Carate require a 4WD vehicle as it is a gravel road with several required river fordings. This drive should only be attempted during the dry season, or after inquiring with local guides. Note that Carate is next to the beach. Take care not to pass Carate as it is poorly marked, but there is a well marked airstrip where the traditional walk on the beach towards the park starts. Parking is available by paying the store/bus stop which is Carate. Free parking is available next to the airstrip (do not leave valuables in the car).

From Puerto Jiménez to Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre (12 km/7.5 mi): it will take about 30 minutes. 4 km (2.5 mi) west of town, take your first left, after the Rio Tigre bridge where you will see signs for Dos Brazos and Parque Nacional Corcovado. After 3 km (1.8 mi), you will arrive in the town of Gallardo. Where you will pass a bar called Oasis and will take your 2nd left. Again you will see a signs for Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre. 5 km (3.1 mi) more down the road, you will arrive in the town of Dos Brazos del Rio Tigre. On your right before the bridge, you will see the Oficina de Turismo (Tourism Office). Park in the parking lot next to the Tourism Office. The drive to Dos Brazos is relatively easy with no river crossings and is safe to drive year round. The drive is possible with a small car, but a 4x4 is recommended.

• 4WD taxis are available for the passage from Puerto Jiménez to Carate. They are easy to find on the main strip of Puerto Jiménez. Taxis are also available to Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre from Puerto Jiménez and will cost around US$25.

By foot

• From Carate, it is a 4-km walk on the beach to the park entrance at the ranger station Las Leonas. Park permits and camping are available at the ranger station.

Park passes are required a month in advance of going into the park and can be purchased on line.

• From the tourism office in Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre, the Sendero El Tigre entrance is a 5-10-minute walk. Reservations can be made with the Tourism Office of Dos Brazos. The Tourism Office will handle all permits.

By plane

• Small planes fly from the city of Golfito on the mainland directly to the small airstrip at the central ranger station.
• You can fly to Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay with Skyway Airlines from San Jose in a 40 minute flight, then you will need to get a boat ride to the National Park.

Corcovado driver's map

Corcovado Map

Fees and permits

Permits must be reserved in advance. You must have a permit to stay overnight at Sirena. In practice, the Park often allows campers with their own food to enter without advance reservations and prepayment, but during busy times of the year even the camping areas are filled, especially Sirena Ranger Station. Sirena is the only ranger station that offers dormitory lodging and hot meals in addition to camping. La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los Patos offer only camping with no food service. It is possible to secure park permits directly from the Ranger Station in Puerto Jiménez, but they do not accept credit cards, so it requires passing through Puerto Jiménez and a trip to the bank to make the payment or costly international wire transfers. The Park Service (MINAE) does not issue park permits more than one month in advance of anticipated arrival.

Vendors to assist with obtaining permits:

CafeNet El Sol offers a reservation service for a fee of US$30, or $10 for one-day passes; details on their Corcovado page, enabling travellers to obtain their permits in advance by credit card payment without having to travel to Puerto Jiménez or carry cash to the park. The park does not accept payments by cash or credit card, only by in-country bank deposit (no international wires). You can still pay for your park passes through CafeNet El Sol.

CorcovadoBlog Tour Operator and Booking Manager offers booking service fee and you can make the payment online with debit/credit card.

For the El Tigre trail in Dos Brazos de Rio Tigre, the fee is US$125 for two people (guide included), which includes the US$30 fee for the park entrance. The Tourism Office of Dos Brazos will handle all permits for you, saving you the trouble of making a reservation with MINAE. Contact information for the Tourism Office can be found at

Get around

Trails

• Sendero El Tigre. A 8-km (5-mi) looped trail. It is a medium-high difficulty trail with large hills at the beginning and end. It can be walked in four hours or less; but most finish in six to eight hours. Time depends on walking speeds and number of stops to view the abundant wildlife.
• Carate to La Leona. 3.5-km hike along the beach.
• La Leona to La Sirena. The 16-km-long hike to La Leona is on a trail which is on and off the beach. It is imperative that visitors time the hike so as to arrive at the river fording 2 km shy of La Sirena at the lowest possible tide. There is potable water at a stream "Quebrada la Chancha" (Chancha Stream) just east of "Ponta La Chancha" (Chancha Point).
• Los Patos to La Sirena. This 20-km hike is approximately eight hours through secondary rainforest. The trail slopes slightly down toward La Sirena.
• San Pedrillo to La Sirena. This 29-km hike is 13-14 hours and is almost entirely along the beach. Most of the trail has been closed since 2009. Only the San Pedrillo to Llorona section remains open (as of 2019).
• Drake to San Pedrillo. This trail is outside of the park and leads to its entrance. The hike is approximately six hours along the beach and just inside the forest.

There are several short trails in and around Sirena

• Ria Clero
• Espaveles
• Naranjos
• Guanaenste
• Ollas Corcovado

See

Scarlet Macaw

• Wildlife. The park is home to:
  • Over 350 species of birds including Scarlet Macaws .
  • 116 types of amphibians and reptiles including poison dart frogs.
  • 139 mammals, including Tapirs, Squirrel Monkeys, and large cats such as Puma and Jaguar.
• Natural beauty:
  • Natural rock formations.
  • Waterfalls.
  • Beaches.
  • Rivers.
  • Rainforest. It grows right up to the oceans.

Do

• Visit La Sirena. In fact it is recommended that you spend as much time as possible here since it makes a good central base for exploring the park. It is 20 km from each entrance.
• Take pictures. Take as many as possible so as to enjoy the beauty long after you have left.
• Kayak. Ask the locals for a kayak ride through the rainforest.
• Hire a guide. The guides know the animals' habits and are able to tell you where the tapirs normal routes are. However, be sure to also make sure to take the time to explore on your own.

Buy

• There is nothing for sale within the park, including food or souvenirs.

Eat

• Meals are available at the central ranger station with advance reservation.
• People often bring food inside the park with them. Commonly it is food that is easy to pack, lightweight, and non-perishable such as pastas, rice, beans, or soup packets.

Drink

• There is potable water available at each Ranger Station.
• Remember to carry plenty of water during your hikes. If staying for multiple days, many people choose to bring powdered drink mixes.

Sleep

• Casa Corcovado Lodge. Located in the jungle, Casa Corcovado Lodge borders Corcovado National Park. The hotel keeps in touch with its natural surroundings and sits in harmony with the local environment.
• Finca Exotica Wildlife Ecolodge, Carate Beach (At the end of the road before the entrance to Corcovado National Park), ☏ +506 2735-5230. Finca Exotica is the closest ecolodge accessible by car to Corcovado National Park. Restaurant and cabinas are integrated naturally into the landscape and overlook the Pacific Ocean and lush tropical rainforest. Organic meals and all the coconuts you could ever want. US$80–120 (food and taxes included). 

Lodging

• Beds are available at the Sirena ranger station with advance reservation. You will need to bring your own bedsheets.
• Puerto Jimenez Hotels. 
• Carate Hotels. 
• Drake Bay Hotels. 
• . La Leona Eco-Lodge. A tent-camp lodge offering packages with or without meals. Located at the La Leona station at the southeast border of the park. 
• Poor Mans Paradise and Amaya Family Cabins is the only local Tico-owned and operated eco resort, near northern border of Corcovado National Park on the beachfront portion of the Amaya family farm (37 ha).

Camping

• Camping is possible only at the ranger stations at the entrances and at the central ranger station. Sirena station is a series adjoining structures connected by covered walkway. A covered platform next to a kitchen area and restroom provides needed shelter for pitching free standing tents and mosquito nets. As the platform is covered, you do not need to bring a fly if you are bringing a tent. Showers are available.

Backcountry

• Backcountry camping is not permitted within the park due to the fragile ecosystem. Outside of the park it is permitted and an attractive option for adventure trekkers looking for something more than a nice tidy three day park trip. See for a windy description of an out of park trail that dovetails nicely into a multi-day park trip and provides a deeper perspective into Osa history. This route used to be the route between Carate and Jimenez for those that could not afford to charter a bush plane.

Stay safe

Basic considerations

• Drinking water. The water at the ranger stations is supposedly potable, but it is highly advised to bring some sort of portable water purifier or sterilizer as it is unrealistic to cart all of your own water in. Be especially careful while hiking from La Leona to Sirena Station- the park recommends the bare minimum of 1.5 liters but at least 3 liters is safer. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can and do kill very quickly.
• Sunscreen. The walk from La Leona to La Sirena is very exposed and it is very ill-advised to not wear proper protection.
• Bugspray. Malaria is not a concern in Corcovado, but Dengue fever is a possibility.
• Buddy or Guide. Stay safe, walk as a team. The river crossings are often underestimated and can be especially dangerous for solo hikers.

Other precautions

• Avoid swimming. The ocean tides in this area are extremely powerful, while crocodiles and bullsharks are present in both the Rio Claro and Rio Sirena. River crossings should be done quickly and carefully. NEVER risk crossing either of these rivers at high-tide or during stormy weather. Caimans may be present in all rivers and streams but are not considered a threat to humans.
• Snakes. There are Fer de Lance and various other poisonous snakes here. Fer de Lance or Tercioepelo, as it is known locally, is most active at night commonly along stream beds.
• Nature's defenses. Be careful of trees covered by thorns, spines, or ants.
• Peccaries Also known as Javelinas. There are two different species of peccaries in Corcovado, the Collared and the White-lipped Peccary. They run in packs and can be very aggressive. If threatened by a group of peccaries, climb a tree until you are six feet or higher off the ground.
• Emergencies. Park officials all own short wave radios and there is a pilot on-call. There are landing strips at Drake, La Sirena ranger station, and in Puerto Jiménez. There is also a local doctor in Drake.
• Maps Best maps locally are given out by the rangers, and are hand-drawn and not to scale. You may want to bring your own topo. However, topographic maps are neither required (the few trails are clearly visible) nor useful (almost impossible to find out where you are on the topographical maps).

Respect

The reason Corcovado is so amazing is because it has been so remote and a conscious decision to keep it beautiful is required.

• Carry out all trash and waste and leave no trace.
• Please pick up any trash you see that was left inside the park.
• Encourage others to do the same.

Go next

• Chirripo National Park
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Santiago de Veraguas